The Dan Patrick Show: C&R – "Wife Swap with Mike Tomlin!"

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Covino & Rich (C&R), Danny G, Monty, Spot, and guests
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Covino & Rich zeroes in on the wild landscape of NFL coaching vacancies, what would happen if top coaches "swapped teams" (inspired by the literal and figurative meaning of "wife swap"), and broader lessons on trades and leadership in professional sports. The crew also banters about pop culture, notable NFL trade history, and launches into their regular dose of interactive sports trivia with a comedic visit from "Showboy Mahomes." Energy, humor, and sports acumen are on full display as the hosts weigh the value of "switcheroos" in sports and life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Wife Swap" Coaching Scenario

[01:14–03:06]

• Rich's Theory: Uses the concept of "wife swap" (reference to the reality TV show) to spotlight what can be learned by trading places, applied to NFL coaches.

• Imagines what would happen if coaches like Mike Tomlin, Kevin Stefanski, and John Harbaugh swapped teams in the AFC North.

  "Is there a team that you think would come out with an upper hand?... Do the math however you want." – Rich, [02:27]

• Covino’s Reaction: Notes the term "swap" sounds "dirty," prefers "switcheroo":

  "When you say swap, it just sounds so dirty. When you say switcheroo, it sounds more innocent." – Covino, [03:01]

• Danny G's Insight: Stresses that any coaching switch depends on scheme and modern offensive philosophy:

  "It's all about the schemes... You got to be a modern offense nowadays." – Danny G, [03:14]

2. When Do Swaps/Straight Trades Work?

[03:29–08:16]

• C&R recall high-profile player trades that worked, the most successful being the Goff-Stafford trade:

  "Stafford comes to sunny LA where he feels like he belongs, wins a Super Bowl... Both organizations would probably say yeah." – Rich, [04:15]

• Swaps typically benefit one team more; true win-win swaps are rare.

• Covino shares a personal, off-beat example of swapping autographed guitars with a colleague, showing how trades can work when both sides get what they actually want.

  "It's a switcheroo that still warms me up inside every time I see that autographed Korn guitar." – Covino, [06:25]

• Anthony Davis/Luka Doncic swap discussed as an example that hasn't panned out as expected due to injuries.

  "Anthony Davis not living up to his side of the bargain." – Rich, [07:43]

3. NFL Coaching Carousel: Who Wants Tomlin?

[08:48–11:07]

• Debate which teams would be eager for Tomlin if he parted ways with the Steelers.

• Monty: Suggests the Raiders would like Tomlin.

• Discussion of the Raiders' needs, Tom Brady's mentorship potential, and the value of experienced coaching versus young, up-and-coming minds.

  "What I love about Tomlin, he sets a tone. Like he could be the first guy off the bus... that team means business right there." – Danny G, [10:44]

• The possibility of Tomlin moving to the broadcast booth is floated.

4. The Real Value: Is It The Coach or the Star?

[12:05–15:24]

• Quoting Colin Cowherd's analysis: playoff teams usually have excellent head coaches.

• Acknowledges that consistent playoff teams solve the coach-QB combo for long-term success (Bill Walsh/Joe Montana, Belichick/Brady, Reid/Mahomes).

  "If you somehow crack the code on the quarterback, head coach combo, that could carry you for a decade in the NFL." – Rich, [14:00]

• Asks if teams should invest more in head coaches or hunt for the next unknown "genius."

5. Do Players Want Veteran or Young Coaches?

[15:29–19:03]

• Would a young QB like Mendoza rather grow with a young coach or learn under a seasoned vet like Tomlin?

  "Sometimes these older guys aren't speaking the language." – Covino, [17:12]

• Pete Carroll and Tony La Russa given as examples where age and coaching style may not connect with modern players.

• Chemistry between coach and player is key, not just age.

6. Raider Future & ‘Collusion’ Questions

[19:29–20:23]

• Speculation on how teams approach prospects under new NFL contact rules.
• "Blink twice if you want to play for Mike Tomlin" jokes.

  "I wonder if like subliminally is like blink twice if you want to play for Mike Tomlin." – Rich, [19:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wife Swapping in NFL:

  "The AFC North is now a division of, like, vacancies with coaches. Do you think... they team swapped, is there a team that you think would come out with an upper hand?" – Rich, [02:27]

• On Trades Working for Both Sides:

  "That's really a great example to start with for sure, because it doesn't always work that way. That's the point." – Covino, [04:34]

• On Mike Tomlin's Potential Impact:

  "Tomlin could be the first guy off the bus, and you're like, that team means business right there." – Danny G, [10:44]

• On Finding the Right Coach/QB Combo:

  "If you somehow crack the code on the quarterback, head coach combo, that could carry you for a decade in the NFL." – Rich, [14:00]

• On the Generation Gap in Coaching:

  "Sometimes these older guys aren't speaking the language." – Covino, [17:12]

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps

• Introduction & Set-Up [00:40–01:14]
  Show intro, shoutouts, explaining the playful “wife swap” theme.

• Wife Swap for NFL Coaches [01:14–03:06]
  Imagining what happens if top AFC North coaches "swap" teams.

• Trade/Switcheroo Successes (Goff/Stafford, guitars, Luka/AD) [03:06–08:16]
  Discussion of rare mutually beneficial trades; Covino's guitar story.

• Who Wants Mike Tomlin? Fit with Raiders/Other Teams [08:48–11:07]
  Raider fans, fit for Tomlin, discussion about other coaching candidates.

• Value of Coaching vs. Star Power, Quoting Colin Cowherd [12:05–15:24]
  The importance of head coaches and the coach-QB combo in NFL.

• Would Young Players Prefer Vet or Up-And-Coming Head Coach? [15:29–17:29]
  Debate if younger coaches or established vets are better for player development.

• Collusion & Technicalities of Approaching Prospects [19:29–20:23]
  How teams "wink-wink" talk to players and coaches before deals are legal.

• Showboy Mahomes Trivia Segment (Lively, Comedic Sports Quiz) [23:11–29:18]
  Audience call-in with "Patrick Mahomes" character banter.

• Sports Update & Late-Breaking NFL News [29:49–33:19]
  Monty delivers NFL, NBA, and MLB news, including Arenado trade and NFL coaching updates.

• Closing Banter – Trades, Smack Talk, Sports Culture [33:19–End]
  Talk about baseball's upcoming rule changes, Fred Warner's return, and playful smack talk.

Noteworthy Trivia & Interactive Moments

• Showboy Mahomes Trivia [23:12–29:18]
  • Irreverently hosted by a Mahomes impersonator, with trivia about NFL records and the Super Bowl Shuffle.
  • Audience engagement: "Butch" from Pensacola wins—a mix of silliness and sports knowledge.
  • Notable quote:

    “I cannot lose to Kermit the Frog.” – Butch, [25:25]

Memorable Offbeat Moments

• Covino's Guitar Switcheroo Story

  "Every time I see that autographed Korn guitar... I wanted that. But he needed the seven string... It was like the ultimate switcheroo." – Covino, [06:25]

• On Smack Talk in Sports

  "I love smack talk, man. I think there should be more of it. I’m a big fan of it." – Covino, [39:44]

Final Thoughts & Analysis

• This episode is a masterclass in using pop culture analogies to make sense of high-stakes sports decision-making.
• The C&R team balances humor and analysis, reminding listeners that while coaching "switcheroos" and dramatic swaps grab headlines, genuine win-win outcomes are rare in sports—and chemistry matters most.
• The episode closes with strong listener engagement, banter about baseball’s new ball/strike review rules, and a future-looking nod to the power of mentorship and leadership transitions in pro sports.

Suggested Key Timestamps

• Wife Swap coaching intro: [01:14]
• Goff/Stafford trade debate: [03:54]
• Covino’s guitar swap story: [05:11]
• AD/Luka trade story: [07:43]
• Monty: Raiders want Tomlin: [09:11]
• Value of coach/QB combos: [14:00]
• Young vs. veteran coaches: [16:05]
• Showboy Mahomes Trivia: [23:11]
• NFL news & Tomlin steps down: [29:49]
• Baseball and smack talk banter: [37:45–39:44]

Tone & Style

• Playful and rapid-fire, with sports knowledge layered under jokes and pop culture references.
• Hosts often riff on each other, lean into irreverence ("swap" vs. "switcheroo"), and keep listeners engaged with both depth and levity.

This summary offers a full arc of the episode’s energy, subjects, and must-hear moments—ideal for any listener who wants the highlights, the flavor, and the takeaways from a day of C&R’s unique sports-talk.